Bitcoin is undergoing a notable pullback, recently touching the $115,000 level after failing to break above its all-time high at $123,000. The correction, now nearing 6%, is starting to weigh on short-term investors who entered during the recent rally. Market sentiment shows signs of unease as volatility returns to the spotlight.
Adding to the pressure, top analyst Darkfost revealed that the Galaxy Digital-linked wallet address bc1q0phe…—associated with the so-called 80K BTC whale—has significantly ramped up its selling activity. This wallet, which recently received nearly 40,000 BTC, began offloading large amounts over the past few hours.
This sudden increase in supply comes at a time when market participants were looking for continuation above the range. However, despite short-term turbulence, Bitcoin’s larger uptrend remains intact, supported by long-term holders and institutional demand.
Whale Activity Intensifies: Galaxy Digital Unleashes $2.6B in Bitcoin Sales
According to on-chain analyst Darkfost, Galaxy Digital has sharply escalated its Bitcoin selling activity. While minor movements were observed over the past several days, today marks a significant turning point. More than 22,700 BTC—equivalent to roughly $2.6 billion—have now entered the market. These funds were distributed across top exchanges, including Binance, Bitstamp, Coinbase Prime, OKX, and Bybit, as well as several unidentified wallet addresses. This aggressive distribution signals a wave of liquidity entering the system, just as Bitcoin faces increased volatility.
The activity originates from the address bc1q0phe…, linked to Galaxy Digital and previously identified as holding over 40,000 BTC from prior accumulation phases. Despite today’s massive transactions, the wallet still retains 10,000 BTC, or around $1.1 billion in unrealized value. This remaining supply presents a lingering risk of continued selling pressure, especially if market sentiment deteriorates or key support levels break.
With Bitcoin now consolidating near the $115,000 level and short-term investors under pressure, the next few trading sessions will be critical. Analysts expect heightened volatility, rapid price swings, and potential capitulation events if the remaining BTC from Galaxy Digital enters the market. On the flip side, sustained demand from institutional buyers and long-term holders may provide strong support and absorb selling pressure.
BTC Tests Support Amid Volatility Spike
The 8-hour chart shows Bitcoin pulling back from its recent all-time high at $123,000, now consolidating around $116,400 after a brief dip to $115,000. This correction places BTC just below the 50-period moving average (blue line at $117,260), suggesting that short-term momentum is softening. However, the price remains well above both the 100-period and 200-period moving averages, which are currently holding at $112,202 and $109,316, respectively—indicating that the broader uptrend remains intact.
Volume has notably increased during the recent dip, hinting at strong market participation as Bitcoin tests support. The yellow line at $115,724 marks a key horizontal level, which coincides with the lower boundary of the tight range BTC has respected for nearly two weeks. A clear breakdown below this zone would expose downside risk toward the $112,000 area, but so far, the support is holding.
The chart reflects growing volatility and indecision, but no clear breakdown yet. For bulls, reclaiming the $117,260 level is crucial to regain momentum and challenge the $122,077 resistance again. Until then, the market may remain in a consolidation phase, digesting recent gains amid heavy whale activity and broader macroeconomic uncertainty. The coming sessions will likely define the next leg.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
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